Gratitude: Fuel for Good Health and Wellbeing by Bob Anderson

After a year of offering programs and experiencing the island community’s warm and generous response, one word best captures what we feel at Lummi Island Health & Wellness: Gratitude.

Gratitude is more than a simple “thank you.” It is a shared sense of appreciation for benefits received and experiences lived together. It is a positive emotional state—and even a way of being—that recognizes the goodness in life and acknowledges its sources in one another.

This past year has been exhilarating for our small nonprofit, whose mission is to help islanders age in place with greater ease, safety, and connection. Together, we have built something meaningful. We formed a 10-member board, secured over $100,000 in funding from a variety of sources, and launched a wide range of wellness classes and community events. We trained residents in home safety, introduced telehealth services to better connect people with providers, and partnered with outstanding island organizations, including the Fire Department, Heritage Trust, LICA, Civic Club, and Library. Most importantly, all of this grew from a remarkable wave of volunteerism and community support.

It has been a deeply satisfying year—more than words can fully express.

As David Brooks writes, “Gratitude is a sort of laughter of the heart that comes about after some surprising kindness.” While many of us feel gratitude occasionally, some people seem to live it daily. They take nothing for granted. They find joy in simple moments—a kind word, another’s success, or even a sunny day.

We see this spirit right here on Lummi Island. One of our yoga instructors, Jennifer Martin, begins each class by inviting participants to share a “glimmer”—a small moment of positivity worth noticing. This simple practice helps cultivate presence and appreciation.

At Lummi Island Health & Wellness, we believe gratitude is also a kind of social glue. It reminds us that community is not merely transactional, but relational—built on care, generosity, and shared purpose. These connections are strengthened not by self-interest, but by service and mutual support.

According to author Arthur Brooks, gratitude is not just a fleeting feeling—it is a skill we can practice. By intentionally cultivating gratitude, we can counter negativity, deepen relationships, and improve overall wellbeing. He outlines five practical steps:

1. Notice the good things, even the small ones.

2. Express gratitude openly when you receive help or witness something meaningful.

3. Reflect regularly on what you are thankful for.

4. Be authentic—practice genuine gratitude, not just routine politeness.

5. Build habits of gratitude, especially upon waking and before sleep.

In the months ahead, LIH&W will launch a community art display centered on the theme of gratitude. We invite island artists to contribute works that express what gratitude means to them. Watch for more details from Kellie Moeller, our Director of Communications. This initiative will extend our shared exploration of how gratitude can fuel health and wellbeing—together, in small but powerful ways.

As Charles Dickens wrote, “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

And in the words of Willie Nelson, “When I started counting my blessings, my whole world turned around.”

Gratitude changes how we see—and how we live. In these ways it Fuels our Good Health and Wellbeing!